Keith Richards on Songwriting, Creativity, Rolling Stones

[JasO]

I’ve just posted a complete, 6000-word transcript of my 1994 interview with Keith Richards. In it, Keith goes deep into his songwriting process. At one point, he reveals, “When you’re not trying to work and not trying to do things is when the ideas really come, which is why I never, ever, sit around and say like, ‘I am now going to sit down and write songs – silence in the house!’ I can’t do it like that. I wait for stuff to come. Angels tell me. [Laughs gently.] I don’t know if they’re angels, really!” He gives anecdotes about how some songs were written, and delves into his songwriting partnership with Mick Jagger and who wrote which parts of which songs on Voodoo Lounge.

In another interesting exchange, Keith assesses Mick’s skills as a guitarist and harmonica player and talks about Ron Wood’s electric guitar and steel guitar playing. He details why Bill Wyman left the band, why Darryl Jones was hired as his replacement, and the role Charlie Watts had in all that. Keith was also very candid about the fates of Brian Jones and Mick Taylor, and had wonderful things to say about Willie Dixon. There’s other stuff too. If you’re interested in seeing the whole interview, it’s posted here:
http://jasobrecht.com/keith-richards-19 ... ng-stones/

[leadguy]

Great Interview.

[NY Chief]

I'm still muddling through "Life". Interesting read.

[fillmore nyc]

I'm still muddling through "Life". Interesting read.

"Muddling" would be a good description of how Im trying to get completely thru that book... I find it a little "all over the place", and difficult to stay focused on Keefs meanderings... maybe a Brits way of expressing himself in writing??


Not cause Im a die-hard fan of the man, but I was able to relate to Johnny Winters bio "Raisin' Cane" much more. I know the cast of characters better, and guess I just understand blues cooked up in this country more.
I couldnt put it down... read it cover to cover in 3 days.

[leadguy]

Havn't read the book but I think Keith might be a free spirit.

Keith and Brian Jones's playing got me to start guitar and at that point (pretty young) I had never heard much Blues but I did later of course and realized where Keith and Brian got it from.

I liked the riffs when I was young, like Satisfactions riff (Keith) and The Last Time riff (Brian) and the Jumping Jack Flash and Brown Sugar riffs.

When I heard Blackmore I sort of gave up on listening to the Stones much.

The Charlie Watts interview on Jas's site is pretty good as well.

[fillmore nyc]

BTW, thanks for posting that interview, Jas!!



(Sorry... a little belated on that one.)

[zaphod777]

Thanks for sharing these classic goodies with us JasO.

[fillmore nyc]

Thanks for sharing these classic goodies with us JasO.

+1,000

[NY Chief]

I'm still muddling through "Life". Interesting read.

"Muddling" would be a good description of how Im trying to get completely thru that book... I find it a little "all over the place", and difficult to stay focused on Keefs meanderings... maybe a Brits way of expressing himself in writing??


Not cause Im a die-hard fan of the man, but I was able to relate to Johnny Winters bio "Raisin' Cane" much more. I know the cast of characters better, and guess I just understand blues cooked up in this country more.
I couldnt put it down... read it cover to cover in 3 days.

Glad it's not just me, filly. I was worried it was as several friends tore through "Life" and said I just didn't get it. But why would I be surprised my brother from another would see it differently!?!?

Johnny's book was good? Does he talk about gear and or playing details like Keith does the open tuning stuff?

[fillmore nyc]

Johnny's book was good? Does he talk about gear and or playing details like Keith does the open tuning stuff?

I thought Johnny's book was excellent. He doesnt really go into detail too much about his gear, but he DOES talk a lot about knowing the blues characters we all know, from his relationship with Janis Joplin, Muddy Waters, Jimi, to SRV dissing him by denying knowing Johnny, which JW says is bullshit.
It really details growing up in Texas and becoming immersed in Blues at a very young age with Edgar. Lots of really unexpected jems too, like JW being a really good swimmer and an avid fighter!!
It even talks about how he used to occasionally drive a car, despite being legally blind!! I wont give the details away, but its a pretty funny story.
There's a lot of down sides too, like how his old management fucked him up pretty severely, the drugs, etc.
There's also interesting shit, like how he went thru different band members from the earliest days thru "JW And", up to the present.
Lots of cool pics too...

Its definitely gets the 2 big thumbs up, "Fill Recommended Read" award.

[NY Chief]

It's on order!

[fillmore nyc]

It's on order!

Lemme know what you think of it, Chiefy... I think you'll find it a great read. I've always loved Johnny, but this book gave me an even better appreciation of his talent... what it took for him to get where he is, the adversity of being albino, cutting his musical teeth in Black clubs, etc.


PS-Check out a couple of new clips from YT I posted on the JW thread.